The Annapurna Circuit is a 23 day trek through some of the most amazing scenery in the world. Since you will be on the trail for most of those 23 days you will have to eat food that is indigenous to Nepal. Do not despair, while the food may not be fast—or processed like most westerners are used to it will be plentiful.
Not only will you get in better shape from hiking for 23 days you will also clean out your digestive system by eating healthy along the way. Food is not light, so instead of your porters carrying packs full of food you will be eating the traditional food of the Nepal people in the villages that you encounter.
The Annapurna Circuit is considered a "tea house trek," meaning there are villages with lodges and restaurants to eat and stay in along the entire route. You are expected to eat breakfast and dinner in the same lodge where you are spending the night. The price of rooms is relatively cheap because lodge owners tend to make more money on the food and drinks they are selling you than on the room where you are sleeping. With Himalayan Mountain Treks the price of the food and lodging is all inclusive.
The main staple of the Nepal diet is dahl bhat which translates as rice and lentils. It is consumed daily since it is inexpensive and good for you. Rice is more readily available at the lower elevations where the forests are lush. Along the way you will be treated to local vegetables such as cabbage, green beans, carrots, potatoes, greens, etc. Do not fret if you are not a vegetarian there are also choices of meat — chicken, fish in some areas, water buffalo and yak. The yak is in the bovine family so their meat is similar to beef. You will also be served eggs and rice for breakfast.
Once you reach higher elevations the scenery changes from rice paddies and green forests and gives way to the snow-capped mountains. At this point you will be served barley more frequently. For this reason, if you have any Gluten allergies, be sure to ask what is in the meals that you are served.
Along with the required gear to bring on the trip you may wish to pack in some snacks from home that are light weight and travel well. Snacks that you may bring are energy bars, trail mix, jerky, nuts, dried fruit, etc. You can also bring candy to satisfy your sweet tooth. Just remember to keep it as light as possible and to tip your porters well since they will be the ones carrying it.
Who knows, after your trip you may just give up processed food and stick to a healthier diet of rice and lentils, probably not, who can give up pizza.....
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
How To Eat Well On Annapurna Circuit Trek
Thursday, July 29, 2010
How Does Organic Food Affect Your Body
Present day health conscious people are attracted more towards natural living fundamental, which includes organic foods as well. But, why do people prefer organic foods instead of conventional foods? How does organic ingredients affect your body? Organic products actually are specially grown food products, rich in organic ingredients, inculcated deliberately. Diets rich in organic health items give natural and fresh dose to the body, as compared to the pesticide inflicted non-organic foods, generally available in the market. Sometimes, conventional foods contain genetically modified organisms (GMO).
Problems associated with non-organic foods The following problems are commonly associated with non-organic products:
Low energy Levels
Low libido
Low motivation levels
Low metabolism Benefits of organic foods for the body Organic items provide not only mental and emotional benefits, but also the physical ones. Therefore, organic foods are fulfilling mentally, physically, and psychologically. Organic products do not contain toxins such as pesticides, antibiotics, additives, and nitrates that are mostly present in non-organic foods. According to an article in the Journal of Applied Nutrition, organic foods are nearly the best ones in the terms of nutritional quality.
Nutrients content of organic foods
Haves: Some of the rich nutrients, largely available in organic health items are:
Chromium - A micro-nutrient, found less in conventional food. Its deficiency may cause diabetes and atherosclerosis in adults.
Selenium - An antioxidant micro-nutrient, which protects from cancer, heart disease, and environmental chemical
Calcium - A mineral required for strong bones and teethes
Boron - This trace element prevents osteoporosis
Lithium - Good for the treatment of certain level of depression
Magnesium - Decreases the death rate, caused due to heart attacks and eases the symptoms of PMS
Vitamins - They are necessary for the body in limited supply for its proper functions and its protection against toxins. Vitamins A, B, C (antioxidant), and beta carotene (immunity booster & prevents lung cancer) are found well in organic foods
Have Nots: According to the researchers, organic foods contain less level of minerals, especially the following heavy metals:
Aluminum - Is responsible for the development of Alzheimer's disease
Lead - Has mental implications and can adversely affect children's IQ
Mercury - It causes neurological damage
Therefore, consuming organic produce is certainly a good idea and promise for good health and long lives, provided you follow the right diet patterns coupled with regular exercising! Organic products have health benefits for you and for the environment that makes long term differences.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Why are organic and eco-friendly toys better for our children?
One of the greatest gifts to mankind given by the creator is nature. Now it is our duty to protect this gift. If nature is not properly used and protected, we put ourselves and our next generation into peril. So use of nature and natural products should be made with wisdom. It is also true in the case of manufacture of toys.
Care of child:
It is the duty of every soul in this world to care for the child. He is our successor. The care of his health is of utmost importance. In order to make the child industrious, we provide him with many toys. Unfortunately many of these toys are made of materials like plastic, fibers, etc. which are chemical based products. These products are known to affect the tender skin of the baby. Attracted by the pleasing color of these toys, the toddler puts these products in his mouth and as a result he gets infected. These products are known to be storehouses of many serious diseases. So the child is laid down with serious ailments. His future is affected. Ultimately we have failed in taking proper care of the baby.
Remedy:
The remedy is to stop providing such toys which are manufactured using artificial materials like plastic, etc. Instead, replace these with organic and eco-friendly toys. They do not harm the child. These toys are manufactured using natural materials. They are as attractive as artificial toys. Advantages of organic toys:
As they are made of natural material without any artificial lining around them, they are totally safe for the child. Of course, they cost little more than their counterparts; artificial toys. But looking at the long range benefit, anyone will be willing to pay more. They are free from all sorts of toxic materials. They can be used for longer period of time. They can be repaired and reused. But in any form they are eco friendly. If there is a need to discard these toys, they can be put back on the road; nature will accept them. For example toys made of wood, cotton cloth, clay toys are all eco friendly; when they are discarded in the open, they in no way harm the nature or the neighborhood. But it is not so in case of artificial toys. There are many examples of many electronic gadgets yet to be disposed off because they cannot be thrown in the open for fear of causing environmental hazard.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Should I hire a community association management company to help organize my community?
The first question you need to ask does your Homeowner Association Board have extensive and practical experience in financial budgets, governance, community operations, and training for new board members. If you didn't immediately answer yes to each of those questions than a professional community association Management Company could be of service to your board. One more thing to consider is with your homeowner association board is not just do you have the experience, though do you have the time.
Unless your homeowner association board is made of fulltime board members which it probably is not, you have other responsibilities to your own business or employment that take priority for your time. This is why hiring a community management company is so important. That way you have a fulltime staff working to run your community.
One of the most beneficial items from using a professional community management team is operational budgets. The process of having a detailed and accurate budget for board members to make decisions from is crucial to community success. Since management companies with extensive experience have created many successful budgets the difference in accuracy is immense. With realistic budgets and planning your board members can feel confident that they are making the right decisions for their residents. Management services can guide board members through operational challenges that will arise no matter how detailed planning is. The biggest mistake most homeowner association boards make is a lack of a consistent communication process to updates and how the challenge will be solved.
When all community processes are handled by trained fulltime staff your community can run smoothly and it makes you look good for your residents. The reality is that most home owners only notice their association board when there are issues. The best boards are the ones that the residents don't even think about.
Have you ever been frustrated with new board members? Not that they are not bright and highly accomplished people, though they lack the experience of how your board and community works. Professional community management companies should have experience in how to train new board members into effective decision members that can contribute faster to their respected development.
The part that most residents notice the most is the up keep around the properties. Making sure that every person or business responsible is delivering can be overwhelming. The most effective community management companies have systems in place to organic and manage each community to keep property values and impressions up.
Just think if your homeowner association board is having any issues that professional community management could take care of. Less head aches and smoother management makes being on a association board more enjoyable and effective.
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Best Protein Sources for Vegetarians
Proteins are very necessary for human's health. The muscles of the body, hair, fingernails and many other body parts are made up of partially or wholly of protein. It is the common belief of the person that that the main source of proteins are only the non-vegetarian food substances. They think that vegetarian food normally lacks in protein. Now the question emerges, is their belief right? Well you can get the answer of this question by your own while reading this article on vegetarian protein food.
It is a fact that vegetarian food stuffs are also best in providing proteins and that too in high quantity. It is even revealed out of several surveys that those who are vegetarian are more healthy and fit as compared to those who are not. The only important thing to keep in mind is that the healthy vegetarian should take care to have adequate amount of protein in his diet for sure. It is worth to state that vegans require having more sensitivity regarding their body's protein requirements.
Here is a list of pure vegetarian protein food stuffs for vegans:
Spirulina:
It is rare and pure vegetarian complete protein that contains all essential amino-acids. It is 85-95 percent digestible and easy for body to assimilate and digest. You can enjoy spirulina in dressing or smoothies.
Bee pollen:
Bee pollen has approximately 40 percent of proteins and packed with vital vitamins and minerals. It is count as nature's super nourishing vegetarian protein food. Bee pollen has more proteins as compared to any other animal sources like beef, eggs, meat etc.
Soy products:
Cooked soybeans (1/2 cup) have 10 grams of proteins and tofu (1/4 cup) also contains same quantity of proteins. Soy products are involved in small quantum in Asian diets while they are completely new for west. Select best quality of organic tofu as well as unsweetened soy milks. Fermented products of soy are very easy to digest.
Legumes and Beans:
Cooked chickpeas (2/3 cup) have 10 grams proteins. Incomplete proteins are present in beans. This means you can make them healthier by cooking them with other protein rich vegetables. Eating grains and beans together is classic combination that provides complete proteins.
Dairy:
Dairy products are very rich in proteins. Raw milk straight from the cow has very high content of proteins. Thus, raw organic as well as fermented milk food products are far better than homogenized and pasteurized milk.
Process of homogenization breaks milk into very smaller particles. These particles cause lactose intolerance. Pasteurization mainly sanitizes milk but also kills its goodness too. The enzymes present in raw milk help in digestion.
However, if you have treated organic-milk as a last option then do not worry. Here are some guidelines to make proteins present in homogenized and pasteurized milk more digestible.
Eat yoghurt.
Warm the milk with some digestive spices like cinnamon, ginger and cardamom.
Cottage cheese would become more digestible when it added with little yoghurt.
Try sheep and goat products.
Protein powder:
Whey protein-powders are processed proteins. However, smoothie protein-powder is very fine to take as occasional snack or in breakfast. Quality is key factor for complete health. So, from above vegetarian protein food stuffs you can get high quality protein. If you require more proteins then switch towards several other things available as well. It is not that the above mentioned are only the protein rich vegetarian food. In addition there are several other sorts of vegetarian foods available that can provide you with right quantity of protein. Some other sorts of choices that are available for you are bee pollen, legumes, spirulina etc. Hence, from the above food stuffs you can have rich protein diet without any non-vegetarian food.
In addition, if you are concerned with the cost aspect, then too you need not to worry at all. It is so because if you would go for such sorts of foods then the best part is that you would get vegetarian food cheaper as compared to the non vegetarian food. So what's the deal in not going for vegetarian protein food? Also you are not required to worry about various problems or diseases than can happen because of eating poor quality non vegetarian food.
Being vegan is itself a special and better choice. Thus, take high protein containing vegetables and fruits in your diet with other vegetarian protein food in order to have protein as per your physical requirements.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
What does the Organic Label Really Mean?
Thanks to the 'Organic' labels -the consumers can now spare themselves the trouble of going through the list of ingredients on a product's packet in order to decide whether it is organic or not. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has introduced a few national standards that need to be met before companies can use the term "organic" for their food items. Any product labeled 'Organic' assures that it is created without the use of artificial hormones, antibiotics, pesticides, bio energy, or irradiation. The farmers involved in the agriculture of organic foods are not only required to abide by certain water and soil conservation mechanisms, but also need to give a benign treatment to animals.
The Definition of Organic
It may be strange yet interesting to note that marking a food item as organic does not necessarily indicate that the food is healthful and nutritive. The USDA does not claim that food produced organically has more salubrious benefits than conventional food, but it does assure that such foods do not contain any pesticides or harmful chemicals. Therefore, the picky consumers, who pay a lot of heed to nutritional values of everything they eat, are still required to read labels attentively in order to decide how nutritious their diet is going to be. Another interpretation conveys that the term 'organic' does not mean 'natural.' All it means is that USDA has approved the food.
USDA's Steps towards Creating Organic Foods
These days, the USDA makes the use of state and private agencies in order to carry out inspections on food companies to certify them to market organic foods. However, all the farmers making less than $5000 through organic sales are exempted from the process of certification. They do however, have to comply with the latest standards of the government and be veracious about their claims for organic label. A fine, as large as $10,000, can be issued upon the companies and individuals, who try to label or sell a product, which does not meet the USDA standards.
The Benefits of Organic Foods over Conventional Foods
The best thing about organic foods is that they comprise of less amounts of minerals. Most of the other foods contain heavy metals, detrimental to our health in the end. These metals include aluminum, which is responsible for Alzheimer's disease; Mercury, which causes neurological damage; and lead, the mental implications of which are known to affect children's IQ adversely.
Therefore, in a world where nothing can be trusted for complete purity, the consumption of foods, certified as organic can certainly define your path towards a healthier lifestyle.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
How to Determine the Value of Your Gold Coins
Gold has been mankind's most desirable asset for more than 3,000 years. It freely circulated as everyday money - except during times of great economic turmoil - from the time of the Ancient Greeks and Romans right up to 1933. Until that year, the value of the great majority of gold coins was the same as their face value. That meant a $20 gold coin could be freely exchanged for 20 one-dollar bills. And 20 one-dollar bills could be exchanged for one $20 gold coin. It was a two-way system that promoted a stable value for our money.
That era ended in 1933. As part of his effort to re-inflate our economy from the depths of the depression, President Roosevelt recalled all circulating gold coins. He had his Treasury Department melt them and send the newly formed ingots to Fort Knox for storage. Then Roosevelt revalued gold, in a series of steps, from its pre-1933 value of $20 to $35 per ounce.
The Market for Gold Coins Changes
Literally overnight, a $20 gold coin contained more than $20 worth of gold. Owners of the limited number of coins that survived the federal recall order, primarily collectors and overseas banks, wondered how to determine the value of their gold coins. Were they only worth their gold value, or would the government's efforts turn once-common issues into scarce and rare dates?
Today we know the answer to that question. The government's massive melting of our circulating $1, $2.50, $5, $10, and $20 gold coins created hundreds of rarities out of coins with original mintage that suggest easy availability. Here's one example: the Philadelphia Mint struck 2.9 million $20 gold coins in 1931, one of the higher mintage of the 1907-1933 series. Based strictly on its original mintage, the 1931-P should be easily available and not too expensive. Thanks to the government's melting, all 1931-P $20 gold coins are rare and extremely valuable.
Gold Coin Values Today
Speed forward to 2009. All U.S. gold coins minted before 1933 are worth FAR more than their face value, and many are worth FAR more than their bullion (metallic) value. That's true because the number of collectors of U.S. gold coins of the pre-1933 era has expanded tremendously. At the same time, the available supply of these coins has remained relatively unchanged. Because rare coin market values are set by the interaction of supply and demand, the long-term value of pre-1933 U.S. gold coins has shown a distinctly rising trend.
So how can you determine the value of your pre-1933 U.S. gold coins?
We live in an age of tremendous availability of information. Early in the last century, collectors and investors were content to determine their gold coins' value by following (and interpreting) auction results. In the late 1940s, publishers began offering a once per year guide book that listed values for every U.S. coin. Then monthly publications were introduced, providing ads and estimated market values. Then weekly coin newspapers, filled with articles, auction results, and market commentaries, were established. Today we have all of these sources, plus the information on the Internet.
All of these sources, when you know how to use and interpret them, are extremely valuable. All of these sources can help you determine the value of each gold coin you own. But none is perfect. Each has its own quirks and its own idiosyncrasies.
The single best way to determine the retail or wholesale value of your pre-1933 U.S. gold coins is to have your trusted adviser perform a professional review, this will provide your most dependable estimate of value.
Determine the Value of Bullion Gold Coins
Bullion gold coins, like American Eagles and Canadian Maple Leafs, are struck by governments for sale to investors through a network of distributors and wholesalers. They are minted in unlimited numbers, so scarcity is not a factor in determining their value. That means the value of gold bullion coins can be easily determined with reasonable accuracy on any day.
To determine the value of your gold bullion coins, you need to know their pure gold weight and the spot (or cash) value of gold. Determining a gold coin's weight is usually simple: the coin's design should state them. If it does not, contact your coin dealer.
Once you know your bullion gold coin's pure gold content, it's time to identify the market value for an ounce of gold. For today's value, contact your broker. Your broker provides up to the minute bid and ask prices for spot gold, as well as spot silver, platinum, and palladium.
Now you know the weight of your coin and the value of an ounce of pure gold. To learn your coin's pure gold value, simply multiply the two numbers. For example: you want to know the value of a half-ounce American Eagle gold bullion coin. You know the pure gold content (one half ounce) because it is stated on the coin. You locate gold's current market value, and find it is $950 per ounce. Multiplying one-half (your coin's pure gold contents) times $950 (gold's current market value) yields a gold value of $475 for your coin. Market premiums, distribution charges, and dealer commissions will vary and will affect your coin's value, so be sure to consider them when determining your coin's value.
American Eagles, the world's most popular gold bullion coins, are guaranteed for their content and purity by the United States government. Their value is primarily determined by the price of gold, which fluctuates throughout the day.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
What are the styles of a simple wedding dress
While many brides would love to have a dramatic wedding dress, there are others who are uncomfortable with too many embellishments and would like to opt for a simple wedding dress. The problem these days is that the styles that are in vogue have too much detailing. They call for a whole lot of embellishments, lace, sequins and flounces, which may not be what you as a bride would want. If this is the case you need to go for the classic, simple and elegant sort of wedding dress.
In the current economic slump it makes sense to keep it simple. Many brides prefer to keep their wedding dress simple, not because of any constraints but simply because they see themselves as simple women. Simple does not mean un-trendy but simple does mean devoid of any kind of fuss. The simple wedding dress need not be unfashionable or dowdy. Of course it will not be having detailing. It will avoid layering, flounces, frills, ribbons, beading, crystal work, embroidery or any other fancy stuff. But then, perhaps you would not like to walk down the aisle wearing something that looks like rolls of lace and sequins wrapped around your body. You can achieve a classic, understated and chic effect with the right cut of the dress and the right fabric.
A simple wedding dress can be classy, feminine and elegant. Modern fashion is all-encompassing. Today's bride can choose from a wide range of styles to select the dress that is perfect for her wedding day. A simple style does not have to be dowdy. It can lay stress on the fabric of the garment, the cut and the fall. It can play with texture and color for the perfect look.
The traditional wedding dress has been white in color. Over the years brides have experimented with the white color and used cream, egg-shell, ecru and pearl. However in the recent years, brides have also started using non-traditional colors like purple, pink, and others for their wedding dress. If you do not want to wear white, you have a range of colors to choose from.
If you do not want to spend too much on your wedding dress, you can get yourself a simple gown (a prom dress would also do) and invest the rest of your money on classy jewelery. After all jewelery is a great investment, and the dress is worn only once. The main point to remember here is that the entire ensemble should be balanced. The dress should be simple yet elegant and the jewelery adds the sparkle. So chose your jewelery for the occasion with care.
Select the style and cut of your simple wedding dress carefully. For a tall slim figure a sheath is wonderful. This also complements a petite figure. Simple Silhouette is a style that accentuates the curves and is very elegant. Select a neckline and other details to emphasize the accessories and jewelery.
If you have a perfect hourglass figure, it can be accentuated with a two piece and corset style of dress. It can be very simple, with clean unbroken line, accentuating the waist. The Empire wasted wedding dress is ideal for a bride who has a fuller waist. Again this style does not need any lace or flounces. Even the layering can be minimized or done away with. This can be worn with heavy jewelery that takes away the attention from the body shape.
For a pear shaped figure, the A-line cut is a wonderful way to camouflage the full hips. It is figure hugging at the waist and bust and flows in simple lines over the lower body. Of course, you can browse the design catalog for the best way to style it. It can be with sleeves or with noodle straps. It could also be backless. You will be the best judge of the design suitable for you.
There is a wide array of fabrics to choose from. Select a fabric that is best suited for the style of your dream dress, keeping in mind the fact that you have chosen not to embellish it in any way. Silk is the traditional choice of brides. It is natural, strong and durable and has a shine. Silk today is woven with other materials to give you a wide variety of fabrics like duchess satin, shantung, Carmelle etc. You could also use velvet, Georgette, taffeta or even chiffon for your simple wedding dress. Keep in mind that the design of the dress is simple so the fabric and cut should be perfect to emphasize your beauty.
Bridal Online Store offers the most selection and best prices for wedding dresses and beach wedding dresses.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Causal Weddings the Latest Trend for Brides
So, you are now engaged to be married. What kind of wedding are you going to have? The latest trend is for couples to go with more causal weddings then full productions. You may have decided that a more causal wedding is what you want to do, though the question is now what?
With young couples's busy schedules, causal weddings are a great idea. With the price a big production wedding can be a strain on new couples getting started in life. Causal wedding allow for a memorable and classy wedding which will still be day to remember.
Invitations
With today's basic graphic computer people can now make classic looking wedding invitations without shelling out the expense. Pick the paper you would like from the store and most basic software packages that comes with your computer has programs for designing invitations and making them personal to you.
Wedding Dress
The latest trend is classy and sexy wedding dresses without long trains. A causal wedding dress still can be just as beautiful with sexy v-necks and open backs. Online allows brides to get wedding dress at low prices.
Bridesmaids Dresses
What to make your bridesmaids love you more than ever. Instead of bright colored dress that they will never wear again nor want to, pick a dress from one of your favorite clothing stores. A classy summer dress can look beautiful and used again.
Flowers
Everyone stills wants flowers at your wedding. It is important to find the right amount of flowers based on the location for your weddings. Many people spend too much time thinking about the flowers which they will never remember in the end.
Reception
The reception is a time for your guest to visit and interact. Often weddings bring people together who haven't seen each other for some time. Most intimate places like a friends or family member's backyard or a personal friend's quite location allows your guest to interact. Many standard locations for weddings place everyone in special seats in a large room and lose the intimacy that your causal wedding can provide.
Music
With everyone having an IPOD or MP3 player, you would be surprised what a DJ your friends and family can be. Set your music player to a set schedule of songs and no one has to worry about the music all night. Working together with friends and family you can compile every song that you would want.
Bridal Online Store has the latest trends in casual wedding dresses and all your wedding dress selections.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
How is organic coffee produced
Organic coffee is becoming exceptionally popular do to its healthier benefits over traditional coffee. Plus, organic coffee is grown with eco safe farming practices.
For_Immediate_Release:
United States of America (Press Release) October 10, 2008 --
What is Organic in the first place?
In the contemporary world organic agricultural production means using traditional methods and materials which are least harmful the surrounding environment. Like Mother Nature for millions of years, the organic agricultural production methods keeps rejuvenating the nutritional richness of soil and sustains its fertility. In the organic agricultural production methods toxic and harmful chemical fertilizers and pesticides/insecticides are generally shun and at dire situations minimally used. Instead of them organic methods build biologically diverse agriculture to create the same effect naturally.
The meaning of Organic Coffee
Organic coffee means naturally shade grown coffee untouched by any harmful synthetic chemical and more importantly untouched by merely commercial and profit oriented methods that sacrifice environment leading to local ecological imbalance like severe deforestation, soil erosion and depletion etc.
Organic in the present profit oriented commercial situation of the world means ‘responsible living’, ‘protecting the earth for progeny’, ‘understanding the earth as a living system’ and ‘being knowledgeable about the harms of destroying any part of the eco system’ and so on.
‘Organic’ is the lifeline of future of the health of the earth and humankind.
The ‘real’ ‘natural’ and ‘actual’ coffee
In nature, coffee plants
grow under the shade of other trees without needing much direct sun light. Growing under shade trees also means the falling leaves of other trees in due course of time turn out to be excellent natural manure. The layer on layer of fallen leaves works as a blanket to keep the soil moisture protected and intact. The lower layers with moisture and humidity compost and this natural fertilizer keeps the soil nutrients remain in natural balance without being depleted. And the soil remains fertile.
The rich canopy of shade trees also remains the home for varieties of birds which live on insects which in turn are dangerous pests
of coffee plants. Due to the presence of large number of bird population, no need arises to use any harmful chemical insecticides. Thus, in the total absence of harmful chemical fertilizers or insecticides the pest controlling birds flourish and the environment remains naturally healthy and life sustaining and supportive.
The coffee grown in this natural environment is the actual coffee that enchanted the mankind through centuries with its taste and flavor.
source: FPR
The method of growing organic coffee
The natural and traditional method to start with involves inter-planting, which means, coffee plants planted along with other shade giving trees contrasting the commercially grown coffee under direct sun light without shade giving trees.
Secondly to allow the falling leaves of trees to compost to form natural fertilizer and to leave the fallen leaves without disturbing them to protect the soil moisture.
Thirdly by allowing the bird population to grow through avoiding felling of shade giving trees and the birds that live on small insects keeps the coffee plants bereft of pests. Birds are natural pesticide and insecticide provided by the nature and going along with nature is what organic method of growing coffee.
And finally through avoiding strictly the use of any chemical fertilizer, pesticide or insecticide the integrity of the natural taste and flavor of coffee is kept intact.
The last step of decaffeinating
For decaffeinating the organic coffee, it is essential to avoid using the commercially used chemical like methylene chloride or ethyl acetate which is considered harmful to human health and carcinogenic. And using such chemicals in the process of decaffeinating coffee beans actual corrupts the original taste and flavor of coffee.
To decaffeinating organic coffee, only certified organic decaffeination processes should be applied or it should be done by using just water to wash off caffeine using the much acclaimed and approved ‘Swiss Water Process’. This is the only accepted method for organic coffee to remain really organic and healthy.
Welcome Organic Coffee
Coffee thus produced under shade trees without the use of any harmful chemicals, be it fertilizer or insecticide and produced without harming the environment in any way like felling of trees leading to deforestation, and which results in soil erosion or depletion of natural nutrients of the soil and decaffeinated through right process is what organic coffee – the natural taste of coffee. And welcoming the organic coffee is a meaningful contribution you render to environmental protection and leave behind a healthy earth for our progeny.
For more information:
NaturesOrganicMarket.com
Visit our website: http://www.naturesorganicmarket.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=58
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Do You have Symptoms of Fatigue, Shortness of Breath, or a Rapid Heart Beat?
Let me know if this sounds like you? You experience frequent bouts of quick onset of sweating, a sudden rapid heart rate, or all of a sudden a shortness of breath. You may think that you are having a heart attack, though the real cause may be something you didn't expect.
If this sounds like you do you skip breakfast often? Thus once you skip breakfast your day goes by with off on bouts of fatigue and sluggishness that you fix with either trips to Starbucks or the vending machine. Quickly after eating the high sugar of gourmet coffees or snacks in vending machines you feel better though it doesn't last and a few hours later you are crashing again.
What is happening is a lack of small meals during the day is throwing your hormones out of balance. Too much insulin in your blood stream from constant bouts of low and then high blood sugar is causing your symptoms mentioned earlier. This process starts many Americans on the path to diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and high blood pressure. Who would have though it was all causes when you skipped breakfast?
Most Americans from not poor diet choices, but poor diet habits are living everyday with their hormones out of balance. What I mean by poor diet habits instead of poor diet choices is that most people may think they eat too much fast food or not enough vegetables, though it is the simple act not eating small meals throughout the day that causes the hormonal imbalances.
Your endocrine system (hormones) and your nervous system control your body's rhythm which allows you to prevent disease and live healthy. Most pharmaceutical drugs mast the symptoms people feel like depression or fatigue though the only way to make a cure is to get your hormones back into balance from your diet.
The key understanding how your hormone insulin works and what you can to get in back into balance.
1. Insulin is the key hormone that controls how much fat you store.
2. High insulin levels triggers your brain to crave high sugar foods.
3. Insulin puts stress on the brain which leads to type 3 diabetes or Alzheimer's.
4. Your body becomes resistant to the effects of insulin and that process is the cause of over half the cases of high blood pressure.
5. Insulin enhances the chance of cancer cells forming.
6. High levels of insulin have been linked to depression, panic attacks, anxiety, ADHD, and insomnia.
7. Insulin makes your blood clot faster which increases risk of heart attacks and strokes.
8. Insulin can lead to lower testosterone which causes infertility, acne, hair loss for both men and women, and sexual performance issues.
Top 10 Tips to Re balance Your Insulin
1. Eat a higher amount of whole foods that have not been processed like fruits, vegetables, beans, fish, chicken, and eggs.
2. Remove trans fats from your diet. There is no health benefit to any trans fats in your diet.
3. Eat more organic foods which don't use pesticides, antibiotics, and hormones.
4. Avoid high sugar foods.
5. Eat breakfast. If you are not in the habit; start with something. Just drinking coffee doesn't count for eating breakfast.
6. Eat 5 small meals during the day or every 2-3 hours.
7. Don't eat a large meal than go to bed. This is also solved by eating 5 small meals as you loose the ability to overeat.
8. Get 7-8 hours of sleep a night. Lack of sleep will limit the affects of any amount of health eating that you will do. You are not able to catch up on the weekends.
9. Get at least 3 bouts of exercise in during the week. Cardiovascular exercise has been shown to support stabilizing your blood sugar.
10. Ten a few minutes to relax every day. High stress releases cortisol into your blood stream which amplifies the effects of insulin.
When you embark on balancing your hormones remember it is a lifestyle not a 90 day plan. The goal is that every action you take is an action that you can add to your life that you can continue. Any solution that is short term typically only causes more problems or at least different problems.
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Monday, April 13, 2009
Achieve a Beach Body Tips
Having great physique, huge muscles, smart personality is something every men desires. As we all know that there are many gym and fitness center established to help people in building huge muscles. You must have visited a beach to spend some loving moments with friends and family. Beach is a place where a person likes to enjoy the touch of water. But due to an awkward and ugly physique many times you hesitate to open your clothes. You see several young boys roaming all around you in swimming costumes showing off their beach body. You must be wondering how they get a beach body. Let me tell you that even you can get a beach body. All you need is a proper diet and regular workouts. If you really desire to get a beach body then I can provide you some useful tips which can help you in making a beach body. Summer is somewhere near so I suggest that you should start making a beach body from today onwards so that you can also show your beach body and can enjoy the thrilling atmosphere of beach.
Let us discuss some of the factors through which you can get a beach body:
Firstly decide the time up to which you want a beach body as your workout and diet will be based on the time period in which you need a beach body. Make sure what will be your diet and what all will be your initial workouts to get a beach body. This is essential as through these you can build your muscles to get a beach body. You should also gain some basic knowledge about health and fitness so that you can prepare yourself in that way. The main areas of your body on which you have to pay special attention are chest, arms, triceps, biceps, shoulders and thighs. You can also perform workouts in order to build abs. In the initial stage you have to build up muscular arms, big chest and huge shoulders and after you succeed in getting them you can start with cardiovascular workouts to build up your key muscle groups.
A cardiovascular workout helps in burning the top layer of fat of your body. It is essential because by burning the top layer one can easily build huge muscles but for starting this workout one have to build good muscles. The key to get a beach body is weight training, correct nutrition and cardiovascular training. Many people perform the two building blocks properly that is weight training and cardiovascular training but fails in doing the third building block correctly that is proper nutrition. Because of improper nutrition the muscles fails to develop in a proper manner. It is well known that heavy weights are essential for building huge muscular body but for lifting huge weights strength is needed which is provided by proper nutrition. So in order to get a beach body you should pay proper attention to your nutrition. You should take in a proper diet, full of proteins and other essential macronutrients so that you can have the strength to lift heavy weights.
All you need to do is to make a correct nutritional plan so that your muscles and your body can get proper nutrition. This will help you in doing workouts in a proper manner. You can easily get broad shoulders and muscular arms and can also tone every muscle of your body. You will not even feel shy in opening your cloths on the beach as then you can show your beach body. To get a beach body you have to do all these exercises and make sure that you continue them as regular workouts is very vital in maintaining the beach body.
By doing regular workouts you will keep increasing you rate of metabolism which is essential for burning fat and calories. By doing these workouts you can easily maintain a fit and healthy body. You can even join a fitness centre or a gym in order to get best results. You can also consult a physiotherapist as he can advice you how to get a beach body in a more perfect way. You can also consult a trainer for performing different workouts. Make sure that you opt for a right workout for building a muscular body. Do not ever push yourself in completing a set or workout as you can cause yourself an injury.
So, start your workouts and training in order to get a beach body and pay attention on your diet as a nutritional diet is must to get a beach body.
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Thursday, January 8, 2009
What is Organic Coffee and how is it Grown
Organic is a new word used in the context of coffee, tea, cocoa and other food materials in recent times around local shops and super markets. Every year the word is being used by buying public more than the previous year and its use is growing year after year resulting in higher sale proportion of tea or coffee marked as 100% organically grown.
What is organically grown?
To simply put it, organic farming methods leave least or no harmful impact on the surrounding environment. Organic agricultural production systems are mostly traditional methods evolved through learning from nature. In the organic farming methods no synthetic chemical fertilizer or pesticide is used. So that organic production means natural, pure and healthy.
How coffee grows in nature
The coffee plant does not need much direct sun light and so it grows under the shade of large trees. The ground is never sprayed with any chemical insecticide or fertilizer and so the ground water remains pure and uncontaminated. From the canopy of trees leaves fall steadily and the ground is covered by fallen leaves layer on layer. The layers of fallen leaves work as a blanket and protect the moisture of the ground. The moisture in turn help the process of compost to turn the bottom layers of leaves into natural manure to nourish the land.
The thick foliage of shade trees over the coffee bushes house many varieties of birds and also attracts the migratory birds. The birds live on small insects and pests. So they work as natural pest controllers and keep the coffee plants healthy.
The coffee that grows in the shade of other local trees become original and pure in taste and flavor Organic Coffee.
The proposed plantation site is selected carefully. And if the site was being used to grow some other crop using chemical fertilizer or chemical insecticides, then a minimum period of three years are given as conversion years for the proposed site to get over the effects of the harmful chemicals.
After the conversion years coffee bushes are planted along with local shade trees. Care is given equally to the coffee bushes and shade trees and effort is put in to leave bird population to grow undisturbed.
The fallen leaves are left undisturbed to convert into manure to nourish the land and keep it fertile. The bird population effectively controls the pests and harmful insect and protects the coffee bushes. And finally for decaffeinating, approved processes are employed including the Swiss Water process. The coffee thus produced is organic coffee.
Organic vs. commercial production
Organic production methods along with producing coffee intend to protect environment. In this process of growing coffee, more and more trees are grown due to that local biodiversity is achieved. In this method, soil fertility and nutrients are sustained. No chemical pollution is created to harm the human health.
In contrast in commercial profit oriented method of growing coffee, the trees are felled and the cumulative effect is deforestation. Deforestation leads to soil erosion and severe depletion. The commercial grower cuts trees to allow direct sun light which increases production. As there are no birds to control pests and due to the absence of trees and its natural manure, farmers are forced to use chemical fertilizers and pesticides severely harming the environment.
Organic coffee - lifeline of future
Organic production process is eco friendly and helps to repair the environment spoilt by the greedy profit oriented approach of commercial growers of coffee through growing more and more shade trees.
Protecting environment locally helps to enhance the eco system. Rejuvenation and eco system alone can help the planet from disaster and help to sustain life on this planet.
Organic coffee is our responsibility, almost a human duty and life line to healthy future of mankind.
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Thursday, December 18, 2008
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
How to Make a Protein Shake
Proteins are the basic building blocks of any living being. Proteins are made up of essential and non essential amino acids, both of which are equally important in building up the muscles and cells in a body.
There are many people who go for regular work outs. It becomes very essential in these kinds of people to have a proper amount of protein in their diet. Regular gym goers and people who regularly work out generally tend to go for protein supplements like energy bars or protein shakes.
The main advantages for going for a protein shake is to recover faster from the tiredness of work out, to maintain lean muscle due to consumption of proteins like whey protein which are low in fat and carbohydrates but rich source of proteins. It also helps in acting as a meal replacement therapy, in the sense that if you regularly take protein shakes in your meal you can easily skip that one time meal since the protein shake itself provides you with enough and more calories required for that particular time of the day.
There are different ways to make a protein shake, but the below mentioned will be the best and easiest way to make a shake for your balanced meal. The blender must be off when the milk is poured into the jar. The whey protein powder must be added to the milk and the milk and protein must be blended in the jar for about 15-20 seconds.
Once the milk and the protein powder are blended, the blender must be turned off and any fruit of your choice must be added. The fruits added may be bananas, raspberries, strawberries etc that would give a good and refreshing flavor to the shake.
The ingredients must then be blended nicely in the jar in medium speed or a greater speed so that all of them get mixed thoroughly and the fruits are completely bended with the milk. A tablespoon of virgin coconut oil can be used to give a coconut flavor to the shake. Coconut oil increases the metabolic rate and tends to help in achieving weight loss at a faster rate. It also helps in reducing certain risks associated with cancer and other cardiovascular risks.
Flaxseed oil can also be used in the shake due to different roles of flaxseed in daily diet. Flax seeds are rich in omega three fatty acids and hence play major role in reducing cholesterol, blood pressure and arthritis.
The shake is now ready to drink with a wonderful flavor of your choice. The shake must be had after 15-20 of your workout since it is in this time that the body requires protein to a maximum extent.
The protein shakes must usually be made with simple but strong flavors to mask the taste of the protein as such. The flavors can include fruity flavors like bananas, raspberries, strawberries etc or flavors like chocolate, vanilla, honey nut and crunch or roasted almonds.
The protein shakes prepared can be for various purposes. It can be used by some to gain weight or by some to lose weight. People who go for protein shakes for gaining weight tend to use 2% or whole milk with extra protein powder in the recipe mentioned since that would help in gaining weight.
People who are on a diet to lose weight tend to use skim milk in the recipe since that helps in building lean muscle.
People who are allergic to dairy products can use soy milk. Soy milk is also an alternative for people who tend to go on a low carbohydrate and cholesterol free protein shakes.
Care must be taken that the fruits used and the milk used must be fresh ones, since if not they might harm your body. Natural fruits or nuts whatever used must also be rich in protein since that would increase the energy you get from your shake. It is always better to go for natural flavors rather than using artificial or synthetic flavors since they may cause harm to the body at a later stage in life because of the synthetic chemicals used for flavoring.
Thus by using all the natural ingredients available in your fridge all the time, a great protein shake that would boost your body can be made.
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Tuesday, October 28, 2008
What is Organic Farming and is it Important
Organic farming is a broad concept with extreme application. It is well appreciated on a large scale by the people as now with the help of it they can easily grow their own food. If you have a little bit of free time with you then you need not to face any kind of problem. You can prepare and serve good quality delicious food by doing organic farming at your home.
It is not true that organic farming is practiced at a small scale only. By having a trip of farming sector you can easily understand how much vast this sector actually is. This is not the case some time before. Few years back it was not a highly thriving and demanding sector but now the case has totally changed. It is now not limited to a small scale industry as day by day more corporate sectors are taking interest in this field. Large corporate farming is taking keen interest in the concept of organic farming. Continuous research is going on to find out the way by which huge fields of a single crop can be grown. No one can deny the fact that in the process of organic farming, pests are believed to be the major threat. Due to harmful impact on the biodiversity unnatural pesticides are not much preferred to use.
If you are going for the natural pesticides for controlling the pests then it is certainly an eco friendly approach but believed to be much expensive in contrast to unnatural ones. Some time before, due to expensive nature they were not much preferred in the process of organic farming. After the entrance of large scale industries with huge budget this can be achieved now very easily. Natural pesticides can be a good option when it is about the large scale organic farming but if you are going for it at your home or at a small scale in a separate piece of land then it is advisable to look for any other good option. This is because like other kinds of farming organic farming also requires the process of sowing, cultivating and harvesting. If you do not have proper arrangement of water for the purpose of irrigation then you require depending largely on the rain water. If you are concluding the process of organic farming at your home then irrigation is not a big issue but even at a small scale proper arrangement of water is very essential. If you do not have a huge budget with you then it can be a difficult work for you. You require investing a good amount on purchase of seeds, irrigation, fertilizers, harvesting, etc.
There is much debate till now on the use of unnatural pesticides in the process of organic farming. Several environmentalists and consumer protection organization have claimed that the use of unnatural pesticides not only damage the environment but also have an adverse impact on the quality of food. For killing the insects and pests these pesticides are used but they are not considered helpful after sometime. It is so because these insects as well as the pests easily get adapted to the effects of the chemicals involved in them and so these pesticides looses their worth. Sooner or later it damages the health of the final consumer who without knowing consumes a large amount of lethal chemicals and synthesized materials along with the natural food. Thus it is injurious for the health of the human being as well.
Thus there are several ways by which you can have your favorite vegetables as well as fruits and that too with the help of inorganic as well as organic farming. As there are several pros as well as cons of both it is up to you to decide the one that is best for you. You can make use of organic farming to turn your dreams into reality and the best part is it is already benefiting millions of people so you are not at all required to worry for it as well.
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Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Ephedra Plus Caffeine Ultimate Weight Loss Combination
Chinese ephedra (ma huang) comes from the dry herbaceous stems of a primitive family of plants known as ephedracae. Three species of ephedra are grown in China and recognized in the pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic Republic of China and the Chinese material Medica. This herb is one of the oldest and most widely used Chinese herbs. Ma Huang has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine as a primary component of multi herb formulas that are prescribed to treat bronchial asthma, cold and flu, coughing, and wheezing, fever, chills, lack of perspiration, headache, and nasal congestion. It has, therefore, been no secret to the Chinese that there are a diversity of significant benefits to be derived from the other approximately 99% of ephedra plant that does not contain ephedrine alkaloids.
Thanks to modern science and proprietary nutraceutical know how, Hi Tech has now mastered the specifics of these beneficial ephedra constituents, which have been isolated, extracted, and standardized to create Hi-Tech's Thermo-Z brand of ephedra extract for its remarkable benefits in weight loss dietary supplements.
Ephedra + Caffeine: The Holy Grail of Weight Loss
The weight loss benefits of ephedra have been known for centuries. In fact, studies show that ephedra + caffeine can more than double the rate of weight loss compared to a placebo. Recent developments in the field of weight management have demonstrated the efficacy of using pharmacological agents, both instead of and in addition to, diet and exercises. Specifically, many studies have focused on the effects of increasing sympathetic nervous system stimulation in order to increase basal metabolic rates, thereby providing a long term therapeutic option for thermo genesis. Because low metabolic rate is a characteristic of being overweight, and sympathetic activity has been shown to increase this metabolic rate, a role for sympathetic stimulation in the field of weight loss has a well established physiological rationale. Unfortunately, however, the economic advantages of synthesizing and marketing these treatments have rapidly overshadowed the need for adequate research to assess their efficacy and safety.
Most of the early investigations on the use of ephedra, caffeine, and aspirin (ECA) combinations concentrated on the effects of ephedra and caffeine stimulate weight loss by increasing the sympathetic nervous system. Both ephedra and caffeine stimulate weight loss by increasing the sympathetic tone of various resting tissue beds, notably fat. It has been shown that both ephedra and caffeine (lesser degree) are capable of mimicking a sympathetic response when given alone. However, when given in combination, there is a synergistic increase in the level of thermogenesis, such that the stimulated levels are greater than the added sum of the separate effects of caffeine and ephedra given alone. The exact mechanisms of this enhanced action are still being researched.
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Thursday, September 11, 2008
Anti Aging Bad Habits that Subtract Years from Your Life
When you hear watch what you eat, most people always associate that with gaining weight. The reality is that the food choices we make may be taking years off our lives. Your nutrition plays a large role in the internal chemistry of your body. Which means how your bones grow, brain functions, the health of your skin, and pretty much every physiological process and organ function is all affected by the food we eat.
This may be alarming to some especially looking at what you are eating right this moment. The good thing is that you can do something about it. With reform to your nutrition intake you can add years to your life instead of subtract them away. So may even lose those unwanted pounds while you are at it.
It is important to understand that your body is in a constant state of motion. Everyday your body is rebuilding and repair cells and tissues. Where do we get the items to do the repairs? The answer is food. The food you eat is how your body gets the amino acids, vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and more to do daily repairs and maintenance. Every physiological process needs ingredients from the food we eat to function or at least function properly.
That one donut isn't what we are talking about. Though is your breakfast only consists of donuts, you are probably lacking the nutrients your body needs.
Anti Aging Bad Habit #1 - Fast Food
You think it is the high calories of fast food that takes years off your life. The truth the big killer with fast food is trans fats. There is no health benefit from eating trans fat food.
Trans fat reduce your life span by more ways than is possible to write about. Two of the biggest is first they inhibit communication between your cells. Healthy fats increase the ability of neurons to send messages throughout your body and back to your brain. Trans fats just gum up the whole process. Second, trans fat affects your chromosomes. By creating excessive inflammation, trans fat frays your chromosomes like taking the cap off your shoe laces.
What to do about trans fat? Just avoid eating at fast food. There can be better healthier choices that are just as quick like a deli sandwich. Plus, look at the labels at the supermarket. Make sure the products you are buying are trans fat free.
Anti Aging Bad Habit #2 - Too Much Sugar
Living on refined and highly processed food items isn't the best for your body. Your body has a limited ability to breakdown sugar, so limited amounts of pure sugar are digested. High sugar intake overtime is one of the leading causes of diabetes. High sugar diets slow down the rebuilding process of your tissue especially in outward appearances like your hair. High sugar diets also create added oxidative stress which causes many of the internal issues associated with poor health of many Americans.
To fix the issue eat 5 small meals during the day. What eat more? That is right. Most sugar cravings are caused by low blood sugar from not eating. Then your body craves energy and we eat quick and simple sugar to fix our cravings. Eating 5 small meals is how your metabolism works so you will not only stop feeling the need to eat sugar you will also burn more fat.
Eating 5 small meals works to cure almost all bad habits. Once you skip a meal or have a large gap between meals your body will do something negative to survive which has long term consequences. During gaps in your meals your body will do things like burn muscle tissue for energy. Start eating a balance of fruits, vegetables, complex carbs, lean protein, and healthy fats with each meal, and you will see your bad habits become real anti aging nutrition.
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